From the Principal
- Graduation
- Blessed Edmund Rice Icon
- Staffing News
- Welcome Mrs Elizabeth Watson
- Please keep Oakhill College in your prayers
- P&F Trivia Night
- ISA Athletics Carnival
Graduation
Graduation of Year 12 is a very memorable occasion not only in the life of the College but in the life of all our graduates. On Tuesday 19 September, all Year 12 students were acknowledged during the College farewell assembly as they were presented to the community. As each student was presented, I was highly impressed by their respectful nature as I acknowledged them when shaking their hand. They are a credit to all our families and to the College. In between the presentation of the homerooms, five Year 12 students exhibited their remarkable musical ability. Special thanks to Jacob Chang, Henrik Hogg, Christian Henderson, Cameron Pfeiffer and Callum Skinner for allowing us to witness their creative musical gift. Following the homeroom presentations, the College acknowledged the Major Award recipients. Listening to the citations, one could but not be impressed with the fine young gentlemen who were graduating. Congratulations to all award recipients.
We were graced with the presence of Mrs Catherine Walmsley, wife of Mr Anthony Timmins our former Performing Arts Coordinator; Bridget Timmins, daughter of our beloved Mr Anthony Timmins, and Mr Brad Van Dijk, father of a loved son of St Pius X, Tom Van Dijk. Their presence served as an inspiration and a source of motivation for all of us. This support means a great deal to the College. Thank you on behalf of all the College community.
During my speech to the community, I made references to many aspects of College life that the Year 12 graduands may have experienced throughout their journey while at the College. I would like to share a short extract of my speech:
“I leave Year 12 with the following words of Ralph Waldo Emerson who stated:
‘Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail…’
While we know St Pius X has been an important part of your journey, it is your time now to create your own path to your destiny.
But as you follow the trail, keep the values you have acquired from St Pius, those of faith, excellence, opportunity and respect always in your heart; allow Jesus to always shine within you; become the authentic listener; become the authentic learner and may you become the extraordinary gentleman you are capable of becoming.
Goodbye, God Bless and always be proud to be a “son of St Pius X College”.
Following the assembly, Year 12 returned to the school yard and enthusiastically sang the school war cry. A fitting way to end the day.
On Wednesday 20 September, the Graduation memories continued with the celebration of Mass followed by the Graduation reception at Miramare Gardens. The Mass was a wonderful experience with the students engaging in the touching ceremony of light where all students surrounded the congregation with their light. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to Fr David for the beautiful Mass. All aspects of the service were meaningful and provided great spiritual well-being to all of the congregation. Fr David, your presence is a blessing, and the College is fortunate to have you as our spiritual leader.
The Graduation reception provided the College the opportunity to acknowledge the Year 12 cohort and the award recipients once again, this time in front of family members. There was such a positive feeling inside the room which was a true reflection of the quality of the fine young gentlemen of the graduating class. Some of the highlights were the singing of ‘You raise me up’ by all the students, the giving of letters to parents, and the exchanging of ties from their Senior tie to the Old Boy’s tie. What a memorable way to finish our celebration of Year 12.
Our 2023 graduands were farewelled in a most fitting manner by both the College and their parents. The graduation ceremonies were the culmination of an extraordinary amount of work and goodwill by so many teachers and staff. Special thanks to the graduation committee who met weekly since the beginning of Term 3 to produce an amazing Farewell assembly, a reflective liturgy and a vibrant graduation luncheon and presentation of awards. Thank you Mrs Veronica Bamber, Mr Paul Ticli, Mrs Ann Brady, Mr Mark Casey, Mr Sean Brannan, Mrs Annabel Westhoff, Mr Daniel Petrie, Mr Sam Di Sano and Ms Lisa Guerrera. Thanks also to our support staff Mrs Sue Cheney, Mrs Sarah Panozzo and Mrs Lisa Sutton, along with Mrs Felicity Barrett and Mrs Tracy Bradley from our Marketing and Publications Department.
It was a great team effort involving many staff and I thank one and all for paying a fitting tribute and farewell to our Year 12, 2023 students.
Message from Mr Couani
Dear Eamon and the graduating class of 2023,
I write to you with deep appreciation on this most significant occasion - The Graduation of the Class of 2023!
This year, there is no doubt in my mind that Year 12, 2023 would have made an indelible mark on the College, contributing to the very fabric of school life and offering support and leadership to students and staff alike. You are a unique and incredible Year 12.
Eamon, you and your leadership team led by Mitch McGrath, Josh Bewley and yourself, along with your dynamic and talented student leadership team are absolutely impressive in all ways and I congratulate each of you.
In particular and most importantly, I wish to congratulate each and every Year 12 graduand. It is my prayer that each of you has the platform upon which you will build your future, made possible through the love of your parents and enriched by the dedication of the College staff. I am so proud of each and every one of you.
May the HSC examinations ahead, deliver the outstanding results that you all deserve. Know too, that whatever the future brings, you will always remain part of the Pius family. God bless you all, congratulations, and best wishes.
Fide et Labore
Mr Couani
Blessed Edmund Rice Icon
The Icon provides all Edmund Rice communities an insight into the person who was Blessed Edmund Rice.
Nano Nagle
Nano Nagle, foundress of the Presentation Sisters, makes her way through the back streets. The lantern she carries became for the poor of Cork a symbol of God’s love touching and helping the realities of their hard lives.
Nano and Edmund might almost be described as spiritual twins: what she accomplished for the poverty-stricken young girls of Cork, he accomplished for the poverty-stricken young boys of Waterford. She sold everything to give to the poor, and so did he. Holy and heroic they both were, and when Edmund established his Congregation, the rule laid down by Nano for her Order was originally followed by the Brothers.
Blessed Edmund Rice saying:
‘Give to the poor in handfuls’
Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us
St Pius X - Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!
Staffing News
Mr Phil Stollery will be on long service leave commencing from the beginning of Term 4. During his leave, Mr Anthony Tassone has been appointed as the Acting Year 8 Coordinator. I would like to wish Mr Tassone all the success in this leadership position and may Mr Stollery enjoy his time while on leave.
Ms Ewa Dmitrewicz and Ms Peggy Mak have been longstanding Library Assistants in the Senior Resource Centre. It was with great sadness that I notified the community that both Ms Dmitrewicz and Ms Mak have resigned from their positions due to personal and family matters. On behalf of the College, I would like to thank both Ms Dmitrewicz and Ms Mak for their loyal commitment to St Pius X College over a combined total of 33 years and wish them happiness and good health as they start the new chapter in their life.
Welcome Elizabeth Watson
Following the announcement of Mrs Elizabeth Watson as the new Deputy Principal, the College will have the opportunity to welcome her to both staff and students on Thursday 21 September. This is an exciting time for the College and we are looking forward to working closely with Mrs Watson especially given her wealth of experience in the teaching and learning domain.
Please keep Oakhill College in your prayers
On Tuesday 19 September, St Pius X received some sad news from Oakhill College. A beloved staff member and friend, Mr Andrew Wisemantel, died peacefully in his sleep. Many of the St Pius X staff became friends with Andrew through his role as Head of Sports at Oakhill and as ISA Rugby convenor. I was fortunate to meet Andrew during Mr Matthew Stearn’s professional review earlier this year. He made a lasting impression on me in this short encounter.
We extend our deepest condolences to the Oakhill community and to all those who were fortunate enough to have known, worked with, and called Andrew a friend.
Please keep the staff and students at Oakhill College in your prayers.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen
P&F Trivia Evening
Thank you to all the families who supported the P&F Trivia evening last Friday. It was an outstanding evening of fun with everyone getting into the theme of World Cup or some variation on this theme. I would like to thank all the P&F committee members but in particular Mrs Sarah Gillard for her leadership of the committee over the past four years.
ISA Athletics Carnival
At the time of writing my Woodchatta last week, we didn’t know the final results of the ISA Carnival. It is with a great pride that I acknowledge the outstanding results. Congratulations to Mrs Lee and Mr Steinmann for the outstanding results and for their commitment to the athletics program.
With district cricket already underway, Basketball pre-season also commenced last Saturday with a trial against St Aloysius. Though we had mixed results, it was great to see the students involved in a sport they love.
Without our coaches and convenors, the College cannot provide such a diverse cocurricular program. I would like to thank all our coaches and convenors for their commitment to the cocurricular program. I wish all players, coaches and convenors every success throughout the season.
Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever
Mr Michael Ronchetti - Principal